How Such Effort May be Financed by W. H. Granger

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jan 3, 1907

How Such Effort May be Financed

By W. H. Granger

Methods for Working Our Large Cities—No. 5

How Such Effort May be Financed

W. H. GRANGER

IN the first place, those who undertake to lead out in a work of this kind in our large cities, should be authorized conference workers, and I take for granted that such persons are under the pay of the conference, and are in a position to follow my present method for supporting the work. Hence I will briefly state how I manage this part.

To start with, my family and I, with my helpers, live together at the Bible Institute as one household. It will be understood that no one of my associates in the work receives any pay from the conference; they are strictly self-supporting. We treat each worker as one of the family, sharing with all any benefit we may have. They are placed under no responsibility other than to care properly for the work allotted to them. I see to paying the house rent, grocery bills, telephone, heat, and light bills; I also pay for literature used, and the street-car fare for the workers, besides supplying them with clothing when occasion demands. In addition to these benefits, each worker is allowed all his commission on book sales.

To meet these expenses, I have at my command, in addition to my own salary, all donations from whatsoever source, or by whomsoever received. We also have an understanding between us that in case there should be at any time a surplus in the treasury over and above what is actually needed to maintain the work, the same is to be divided among us in proper proportions. There are many ways to raise this money. First, we have a small collection envelope which we give to each reader about every two months, with the understanding that should he desire to help bear the burdens of the work, he may enclose his offering and hand it to the worker at the next visit. By this means we receive a considerable amount. In addition to this, I have monthly pledge cards to be signed by persons who will agree to give a stipulated sum each month. This, if properly followed up, will yield large returns. They may be presented to business men, but especially to persons interested in the truth. When a class of readers is through with the printed lessons, scores of persons can be found among them who will give regularly to support the work, although they do not obey the truth. By taking advantage of all such sources of revenue, by properly looking after them and systematizing their offerings, much help can be had; furthermore, the longer the work is carried on, the more numerous will become its supporters.

One of the most important sources of income is to be found, however, in soliciting the business and professional men of the city; this, if properly handled, will yield a large amount of means. To effectively work this field, however, it is necessary that you and your work be properly recommended. I secured my recommendations in the following manner, which can be repeated in most of our large cities at the present time without any trouble: I first wrote out on a typewriter the following short recommendation: “The undersigned take pleasure in recommending Pastor Wm. H. Granger to the citizens of Columbus, believing his work to be worthy of our most hearty support.” In the meantime I had arranged with the brother who conducts the sanitarium bath rooms of this city, to meet some of his most highly respected and influential patients, whom he knows to be favorable to our people.

This brother first placed his name to my recommendation, as he is known and highly respected by most of the business men, after which we called upon two of the most influential citizens, who not only placed their names to my recommendation, but headed my subscription list with their names and a splendid cash donation each. Thus armed, I have had no difficulty in securing funds from business men whenever in need. To carry on this work properly a good collector should give his entire time to this work. A Bible lesson should always be left with each one at every visit, which will serve to interest him more deeply in the work which he is helping to support.

It is also well to render to those who help, a printed report of all work done, at least every six months. In visiting business men care should always be taken not to exasperate them by needlessly consuming their time. Tell them who you are, and what you are there for, in a business way, and at the same time present your recommendation. The moment they finish reading this, present the paper containing the list of your subscribers, showing the amounts that are by each.

As they are glancing over this list, briefly state the needs of your work, giving them an opportunity to join your list of subscribers. It is not necessary to go into a detailed explanation of your work unless they ask for it. Occasions may arise when circumstances would seem to justify it.

In addition to these methods for securing means, I would suggest as a very important source of revenue, the selling of our bound books. I am in favor of spending one day of each week with my workers in canvassing, allowing them to retain as their own the means thus earned. Besides the financial benefits to be derived, it would be impossible to estimate the good which would come from such an effort.

In conclusion, I will say that if there are any points upon which I have touched that are not clear to any one who may be interested in the work in our large cities, or any other points not covered in these articles about which there may be questions, I will take pleasure in answering the same to the best of my ability.

1479 North High St., Columbus, Ohio.